Gordon looks a cert for WICB

The latest development clears the way for Trinidad and Tobago’s Ken Gordon to be handed the job unopposed when the WICB executive meet in St Maarten on August 8.

The 60-year-old Lloyd, a former successful Test captain was the choice of the GCB who were hoping to get a seconder for the nomination but this has been proving to be increasingly difficult.

And with deadline for nomination mere days away on July 7, former publisher Gordon has emerged the strongest candidate after Barbadian Tony Marshall and Jamaican Pat Rosseau pulled out last of the race last week.

In an exclusive telephone interview on Friday secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board, Bhish Panday said after prolonged discussions with representatives of several other territories, he was not optimistic that their nominee would be seconded.

"We have not been getting the level of support needed. At this time we feel that Trinidadian Ken Gordon has the backing of several territories," said Panday.

He said that the selection of Gordon has been made easier with the decision of Marshall and Rousseau to drop out.

Gordon has already been seconded by the Leeward Islands who are backing their candidate Val Banks for the vice-presidency.

And Panday is of the view that Barbados and Guyana are poised to offer their support of Gordon.

But he still feels Lloyd, who has been living in England for close to two decades, has a contribution to make to regional cricket.

"It is up to the West Indies Cricket Board to open up some opportunities for Lloyd so that we can get the benefit of his wide experience and expertise," said Panday.

He criticised the WICB for going ahead and picking an inexperienced side without batting star Brian Lara to tour Sri Lanka.

"The present West Indies Cricket Board has not been good for the game. They must get their act together. They must chart a course for the region to get back on the top of the ladder," said Panday.

He said the WICB must place all their emphasis on promoting the players and the game before financial considerations.

"If they fix the game the financial part of it will fall in place. They must realise this and not place finance first," said Panday.

Gordon, a successful businessman is expected to sign his nomination documents early this week and if all goes according to plan, he will be only the second Trinidadian in 25 years after Sir Jeffrey Stollmeyer to serve as president of the WICB.

Since then, the job has been given to Allan Rae (Jamaica), Clyde Walcott (Barbados), Captain Peter Short (Barbados), Pat Rousseau (Jamaica), Rev Wes Hall (Barbados) and Teddy Griffith (Barbados).

Prior to 1980, the job was rotated among the four major territories — Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica.

Should Gordon’s nomination go unchallenged, it will be the first time since 1980 that the presidency was not contested. In that year Trinidad and Tobago’s Alloy Lequay stage an unsuccessful campaign against Rousseau.